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Psychology A Level -

PSYCHOLOGY

OCR H567

WHY STUDY PSYCHOLOGY?

Psychology is for thinkers. It is a modern science that draws on the thinking and principles of philosophy, mathematics, science, humanities, and the arts. Psychologists share common interests, questions and skills with sociologists, lawyers, mathematicians, scientists, geographers, artists and historians. Psychology not only helps you to gain an insight into yourself and others, it can provide you with many transferable skills such as critical thinking, logical evaluation and statistical analysis. Psychologists apply scientific methodology to explain human behaviour. They formulate theories, test hypotheses through observation and experiment, and analyse their findings with statistical techniques that help them draw valid conclusions. If you are interested in studying scientific research that investigates why people behave the way they do, how the brain works, and whether science can be applied to helping people in the real world, then psychology A Level could be for you.

THE A LEVEL PROGRAMME OF STUDY

Research Methods

· How psychologists use scientific techniques to study human behaviour

Areas of psychology and psychological themes through core studies

· the biological area - regions of the brain and brain plasticity

· the social area - responses to people in authority and responses to people in need

Applied Psychology

· Issues in Mental Health

· Child Psychology

· Criminal Psychology

HIGHER EDUCATION AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Psychology is one of the most popular degree subjects in this country; this is because it has a big impact on all areas of life, from education and health, to the economy and crime. A thoroughly academic degree with aspects of meticulous scientific research, it is a psychology graduate's understanding of human thinking and behaviour that gives them that extra edge when applying for jobs. The mixture of human, theoretical and scientific understanding make psychology graduates some of the most versatile and attractive graduates in the market.

A CURRENT STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

“Psychology is thought provoking because it applies to you, and it helps you to understand day to day life. It’s not about opinions though - you have to be prepared to read (very long!) published research articles with a critical eye and be prepared to challenge established theory.”

- Maddy Levy, Year 13

SUBJECT SPECIFIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Students must achieve grade 5 or higher in English and mathematics GCSE.